Berghain & Panorama Bar

Touted by many as the best club in Berlin, Berghain is definitely not for asthmatic, weedy types who were always trying to skip gym. In this industrial-style warehouse club you'll find the hardest of Berlin's hardcore pushing squares 'til way past breakfast time. The beats are relentless, the atmosphere hedonistic... And the crowd? Well you're never quite sure if the menacing, bare-chested toyboys are scowling at you, or eyeing you up. Upstairs in the Panorama bar, things are very slightly more civilized - but not much. A friendly crowd processes packets of chemicals into buckets of sweat way into the following day!

Berghain on Viatribe.com

Right then guys are you ready for this………My friend and I went to Berlin at the weekend as we have never been. One of the reasons was to go to see one of our fave DJ’s Luciano who was playing at Panorama Bar (Berghain), we knew he was playing on Sunday but wasnt sure what time so we decided to go down Sunday morning at 7am after having a sleep. We are both 30 and definitely cool, I was wearing grey chords military style boots and military style smart jacket with a scarf neck top underneath as it was freezing and sporting a neatly trimmed beard.
My friend was wearing smart grey jeans boots and barbour style jacket sporting a bit of stubble! So we are fresh faced, yet a little anxious as we read a few reviews and were warned that we might not get in, we walked down the path of doom to the club, there was nobody in the queue, so just us at the front waiting anxiously at the barrier. The doorman opens the door, takes a look at us shakes his head and points to the side gate. Gutted! Back down the path of doom we go in a taxi back to the hotel.
We decided to chill out watch some tv have an hour then go back down to the club at 2pm to hopefully see Luciano. We also decided to change our outfit so they wouldnt recognise us, so outfit 2 was black bootcut distressed jeans same boots, Scarf Neck cotton jacket with a couple of layers underneath not visible and this time a slouch beanie, my friend: brown chords same shoes blue shirt and thick blue knitted cardigan and slouch beanie! Again fresh faced we head down to Berghain and the path of doom, 3 people in queue behind us, my friend stood in front of me, the door opens and the doorman (different guy) looks at us and asks “zwei?” we reply “Ja” he thinks about it for a couple of seconds, shakes his head and points to the side gate. Consequently the 3 Germans behind us 2 guys one girl walk straight in. Gutted again we get back in the taxi go for some food and a drink then back to the hotel to get warm.
We had given up at this point until we got back to the hotel, checked Twitter and found out Luciano was playing from 7pm till the death, which obviously lifted our spirits and we decided to give it one last try. I had bought a leather look hooded bomber jacket that looked cool but not too smart I wore blue chords same boots and a grey beanie and I shaved my beard off leaving a moustache. My friend: dark jeans barbour style jacket and black peaked beanie. This time we had a couple of drinks while getting ready to calm the nerves and I listed 4 other clubs that we could try if we didnt get in.
This time, as advised we decided to go to the door one by one, we got there at 8pm, I chose to go 1st, I got to the door and while I was waiting I could here Luciano was playing as he has a particular style of music. The door opens (different doorman) he looks at me shakes his head and says no I say “no” he says “no” and points to the gate. Triple gutted! Now my friends turn. I walk back up the path and follow him 20 yards behind to see what the doorman does, he opens the door to let some people out and I think to myself “hes getting in” the doorman points to him as if to say “you” and he edges forward a little (thinking hes in), but the doorman shakes his head and points to the side gate. I dont know weather he was teasing him or someone watching the monitor had knocked him back. On this occassion there was a couple of groups of people stood outside that had also been refused entry.
So as you can see from the story we followed most of the simple rules to gain access and I have only 3 reasons that we may have been refused entry.
1. We dont look German or Eastern European
2. Every time we went to the club, there was no queue
3. We were not starry eyed (off our tits on pills)
I know you say you shouldnt take drugs but the people that were coming out were smashed. I have been clubbing for 10 years ive been to the UK’s best Techno club, most clubs in London and all over the UK, Ibiza, Miami, Amsterdam and South Africa. I am a DJ and producer and produce house music with my friend so we are very passionate about music which is why we went there. So why would they not allow us into the club to experience it and let us get our fix of house music????

Went mid January and after big gee up about this place found it pretty ordinary.

Tressor Club and Kit Kat club were a lot more fun.

dump

After two nights queing for more than 1.30 hours by -5° and being kicked out twice with my friends (eventhough we were playing gay style) by the seductive bouncers of Berghain... I have nothing else to sing but the well know french anthem:
"CHIE MOI SUR LA GUEULE, SALOPE, MERCI"
Love from France...
C'est LEEEO

@ Deb

absolutely NOT my experience. Berghain hasn't changed. Still real and authentic. I was there 2 weeks ago, the vibe was so unique. Only great people, no arrogance, no posers. Just great connection and generosity in the air. I doubt you got in the club actually to be honest. What you are writing is just to extreme and the opposite of what I felt in Berghain 2 weeks ago. sorry man...I don't believe you !

I have been to the Berghain 3 times and i have to say..the vibe in the place has totally changed.
When i was there a year ago, i met nothing but lovely, friendly people, with a keen interested in music but last time i was there, for they're 7th birthday, i was really disappointed with the atmosphere. The crowd in the berghain and panorama bar have become posers, totally snobby and up to themselves, the bar staff is rude and they all just seem angry. There were a few tourists but the place is mainly filled with germans. The crowd is just so arrogant.
Apart from that, people were all self conscious thinking they were in a catwalk. totally full of themselves.
Berghain isn't the same anymore its filled with a bunch of posers, it became "too cool".
i went to other clubs in berlin and met great people, who were all there for the music and nice atmosphere.
Berghain's music is still the best in Berlin though but the audience is ruining the place.

I ve been in Berghain & Panorama for the first time many years ago. Just loved it. Sometimes i visit Berlin just to go there. The door policy is unpredictable and strict. The rule is that there are no rules. I think you have more chances if you are not overdressed, jeans , T shirt, a cool leather outfit and sneakers are more than fine. Keep it down when you are qeueing. Be cool but not tacky.

We went to Berlin for fly Bermuda festival there was 20 of us that attended it and after 4 of my friends out of the group including myself went to the after party club.Then decided to go to panorama bar and split up into 2 groups and watched lots of people get turned away then got to the front and was told to wait 2 mins after he looked us up and down we got straight in and so did my friends.After that it was probley the most industrial clubbing experience of my life.i can understand why they don't want to commercialise it and keep it as it is. There's so much happening in berlin so best thing to do is go there for another event and go try getting in after just to make it extra special like we did and you will not be disappointed in anyway.!!

Went to Berghain at 8am Sunday morning and followed all the advice you see here - on my own, dressed down, no attitude etc. etc. Got turned away, but have to say the bouncers weren't pricks about it. Here's the thing though - there were about 30 people ahead of me and they ALL got turned away. By the time I made the door, I already knew what was gonna happen! I was in Berlin with about 20 friends, all seasoned clubbers, and we all went there in pairs or alone, all bar three turned away and none of the people turned away saw anyone in front of them get in either. It really does seem like a total lottery. If you're going to Berlin purely for Berghain, you're taking a big risk that could ruin your weekend. Was it a downer? Not really. Berlin is a fantastic city and you'll have a great time with or without Berghain.

Sorry guys but...no...Berlin does NOT need any tourist...we´ve already got far too many of them and Berghain door policy is not even good enough, most of my german friends don´t want to go there anymore because of too many tourists, even though we don´t have to queue nor pay. this is the best club in the world, and it would not be so if they let all those groups of drunken tourists come in....

I was there one month ago while visiting Berlin, I had any problem to get in, i was with my best friend and a guy that we met that same night.
I was drunk as hell...
It was the wildest night of my entire life. I stayed there untill 17,30pm Sunday. I just thought it were 10 in the morning and surprise..almost 6 in the afternoon. I was schocked! I know I had fun, but certainly I don't remember the most of the day.... is scary!!!!
Panorama is great! just take with alcohol, sustances, or mixing them....
:) Recommended at least once in your life!!!

Just divine! Would go there to only see the doorman with short dark sleek hair, he's so archetypical masculine! Love him and all the things going on in berghain;)

Wasnt drunk. didnt say a word, had a blue rainjacket on and just looked decent. the cock at the door with the stasi-look ofcturned us away. we were two guys. and we spoke with some friends who had been there and they told us that it wasnt that cool. we went to white-trash, and it rocked

Best club in the world, no doubt about it.My favorite night this summer was as 17 hour session highlighted by a 4 hour tech/house Sasha set followed by an 8.5 hour Cassy set in Panorama Bar, not to mention Ben Klock and Monolake opening Berghain. Saturday night turns into Sunday evening very quickly in Panorama Bar. To get past the door just follow the conventional wisdom by dressing down (jeans, a leather jacket, and converse have worked every time for me), going in pairs, keeping quiet and cool in line, not arriving off your ass, and not making it obvious you're a tourist if you are. And if you are turned away its no big deal, happens to everyone. Watergate is a great time as well and a short walk or cab away.

I can't wait to get back to Berlin and Berghain.

The best club i´ve ever been. I like the building, the people, the atmosphere, the music. Can´t wait for the next party. About the door policy: I went two weeks ago on saturday night with a friend, early (00:30-1 a.m.); no queue, we talked in english (with the doormen )and spanish (with my friend) , no special dress ( went to Weekend and Berghain with the same coat ), we were relaxed, just relaxed, like always, no matter the place. Perhaps that´s the secret to get in.

I went to Berlin there this summer as a tourist and what I basically did to get in was mix myself with a group of german people. Of course you won't generally let in if you go with a group of non-speaking german people. And about my age, I turned 18 this year, and they don't cheak IDs or anything at all. I'm SO looking forward to going back to Berghain asap... Basically... best club of my life

What people don't understand, is that the door policy at Berghain is generally not personal. (I guess if you're a group of ten loud, tacky, drunk, belligerent, non-German speaking tourists, it is kind of personal, but most of the time it's just chance.) I speak near-fluent German and had been living in Berlin for a year. My friends and I hadn't made it to Berghain yet, because you can't go there with more than 1 or 2 companions max, and we generally did things in groups. It was my second to last night in the city, and I was leaving through Berghain or not at all. We went to another club and then I went to Berghain at 4 am with a gorgeous female friend who would normally get into any club. They waved us away. We went back to the previous club and then came back to Berghain and lined up again at 6 am after changing our hair. They asked how many we were (zwei), how old we were (einundzwanzig) and then waved us away. She went home. I went back to my apartment, changed clothes and came back around 8-9am. This time I remembered something I'd read in an interview with Sven, how he looks for life in the faces. I stood quietly, caught his eye for a second, smiled and looked away. They discussed. He asked me if my mother knew where I was, I laughed, said natürlich, and he said, Okay, viel Spaß and waved me in. Now maybe my/our age was working against us there, but it's not a fixed thing, and there was nothing concrete wrong with my/our appearances either, it's just random. You can never know, so it's silly when people get so aggressive and take it ultra-personally. Of course, some people are truly tacky and have no business there, but for many it's totally chance. I went in and had the most insane experience of my life, danced until afternoon. Berghain is well worth the effort, most glorious sound system in the world, the most free atmosphere, the best DJs, beautiful but real people who are there for the music and to be truly liberated and party. Can't wait to go back.

American, spoke English at the door, Gay, and a tourist.... Had no problem getting in! This place was BANANAS! I want to thank the bouncer/RN for helping me through a rough roll!!!!

Great Club!!!! Got into Berghain with no problem. I'm Afican Amercian was solo and not gay, so all the people crying about injusctice need to stop. A bunch of germans got turned down infront of me so I guessing its a hit or miss. Best techno club I've been too. If you dont get in, also try tresor or watergate both also good clubs.

What a waste of time. Not worth it to wait almost 30 minutes for..

Ok that s going to be complicated perhaps but despite I can understand the anger of those guys that have bounced back (especially after wasting over 2 hrs and freezing in the mega-schlange I saw last Saturday) yet berghain is exactly this. It s a Place where you cannot really be sure to get in. Either you like this fact or not. And that is exactly the reason why berghain will still be there in 5 years.. Or maybe longer or at least as long as people will find it cool...and for sure the complaint of tourist disappointed for the bad manners reserved to them (I wonder whether would they still find that door policy inappropriate if they had made in...). Berghain is not a matter of tourists needed in Berlin ( which is doing better and better independently from berghain). Berghain, I am afraid has more to do with shaking ego's, of both, those who makes in and those who is being rejected (for opposite reasons of course). Said this, it cannot be denied it is one of the coolest clubs on earth... Don't be pissed guys! Try it again next time instead

+++"No black peepz tonight"+++
3 pp were sent away in front of us. Never heard this much racism at doors of clubs in Europe, drugs is even more allowed? Nice place, very minimalism but not that special. Lot of gay people, lot of gothics. No hygiene at all downstairs.

It's a shame for Berlin to have a club like this. The only 'hope' in the miserable nightlife of Berlin, but a doorpolicy to refuse tourists. I think you have to be as gay as the typical German security guys to come in. With an attitude like this, I'd love to invite him in the NL. See if he's still a 'tough guy' like he thought he was.. One thing they forget, is the fact that Berlin need tourists. We payed twice a taxi E 25, waited for over 45 minutes in the cold. Chapeau Berghain, keep going like this and you won't exist in 5 yrs from now on. Chapeau for the security guy, who thinks he's 'the man', but still is ofcourse, just a security guy. Well done, your mother would be proud of you!

Top 3 things you will experience at B:

-euphoria strikes (I have usually 7-10 strikes/night, had even goosebumps 1st time from the music this weekend - thank you to Margaret Dygas, the DJ, for that)
-uber music that won't let you quit the place in shorter than 6-24 hours (my average time spent at B is 10-12 hours)
-the coolest kids (hot, forward thinking and acting, hedonistic and ultimately boho)

Top 3 wanted at B:
-lgbt primarily and this is not a straight ppl discrimination, just lgbt guys tend to be more tolerant/fun/cool/advanced/easy going/human exterior obsessed - qualities that are most welcomed at B. Trannies are my personal favorite from the cohort, met a really hot guy from Norway this weekend who was sporting some divine fuck my heels & polka dot red silk dress on the dance floor, she was so hot/romantic/sensitive
-characters of any gender/Nationality that scream PERSONALITY, incl. "misfits" as commoners define that cool type of ppl. It is such a widely spread myth that Germans are the most wanted at B! tons of German kids are sent back home, 2 Scottish guys right in front of me in the line decided to fake they were Germans and joined some German girls to grant the entrance - all of them, German girls included, fiasco-ed.
-Age 25+. Maturity is required to appreciate all the things going on at B. People at B respect themselves and all the ppl around - quality rarely exhibited at a teenage phase of life.

3Ds not wanted at B:

-dickheads (love the guys from the UK, but the majority of English guys that come to B surprisingly tend to be loud/drunk/arrogant/judgmental and eventually not wanted inside - may be it is just a kind of a role model these teens have back there in London? I don't really know...)
-dress up, esp girls. B is not the right place to impress people with a cocktail dress and high heels that scream sex. Last season outfits will only go if you interpreted/personified/customized them, not just plain copy from a catwalk. Jeens & white shirts not to mention evening suites for guys to be worn to Cookies/Weekend not Berghain
-dull. Do not look like a commoner, ordinarity is an extreme opposite of B positioning, so differentiate

We got in no problem. We had been doing the fetish parties all night and were 4 people in full latex with large trench coats buttoned over our outfits. It was 6:45am, bright outside. We were 3 Asian females and one Caucasian male, our ages ranging from 22-50. We waited maybe 20 minutes, too tired to chat and probably looking pretty wrecked after partying all weekend at Kit Kat, Insomnia, and a bunch of others. About 16 out of 20 people in front of us flat out got rejected. The 22 year old got super anxious, but stood there quietly. The door guy put up 4 fingers like he was asking, and I put up 4 fingers back and smiled. We were in. They made me check my camera, and my friend checked his huge bag of gear, but by choice and not because he was forced. Once inside, the music was LOUD! But as a huge tech house fan, I definitely was in heaven. We tried the various rooms and danced upstairs for a while, and then later moved to the lower level. No one bothered us, so we could just get our dance on. It got too hot to wear the coat, so I stripped down to the latex, and was totally out of place, but not harassed in any way which was great! I have to admit, in some ways I liked the old Tresor club better. I don't see how people can compare the two, as they are two totally different experiences. But Berghain is unique to anything out there, and if you need a hard techno fix (like I did,) this is the place.

Visited the club around 6 years ago plenty getting turned away, mostly large, loud groups. Me and my brother got in no problems. We visited Berlin just for the techno and dressed accordingly, jeans, t-shirt and trainers. Once inside we had a drink then left to get some sleep at the hostel to return the next morning (don't wash of the stamp!) We had a wonderful time and met some wonderful people and got invited to an afterparty in the loft of some high rise apartments. A truelly amazing night I will never forget.

The second best club I've ever been to. The best in my opinion was The Orbit but sadly it is no more.

I will return. (finished making babies now!)

It's funny how every single person having a cry about the club and door policy are those who didn't get in. I'm Australian and I get let in all the time with no dramas. The door policy is rarely about race or looks, it's about the way your presented and the attitude you have. If you look and act pretenciously, you're not getting in. The policy is there to keep the club raw and the atmosphere accepting and loving. It's all about the music and the feel of the club- and if you do get rejected for being foreign its not because you aren't German, it's because they are trying to keep away that tourist mentality e.g. cameras. Many tourists are so annoying and rude when they're out in other cities, and by rejecting the blatant tourist characters they are just trying to keep the club how it always has been and is- no judgment, just music. Of course if you're a tourist but clearly acting in a normal/ polite way and not showing signs of being a dickhead tourisst then they have no problems at all letting you in. On a side note, this club is brilliant and it's because of the policies they adopt. If you love to dance, have a good time, don't mind being around some chemicals (or having them) and love this kind of music- then Berghain is definitely for you!

Queued for hours, had a laugh with my friend in teh queue- was sober and English and smiled....was rejected with no explanantion, everyobne else was dresses like a swampy, were german and didn't speak- if you want to get in, dress like an anarchist and look miserable

OMG, what are you people talking about?

Berghain is the heaven of techno!
I love the atmosphare in there, the music, the people. Everything is so amazing in there.

And the door policy just makes it to the club it is today. If anybody could go in there it wouldn't be the same club that it is today. It is a club for people who loves the techno music and the industry atmosphare.

Go Berghain, keep it rough

F+++ the Berghain. I have had it on the top of my list of things to do in Europe, got a hostel right around the corner from it, went there sober to line up and got looked up and down buy the bouncer with the tub of oil in his hair and he nodded me to the exit gate for no reason, lined up again for 40 minutes, and got the same thing. I'm not too sure if they're told to send people away for no reason but i will never reccommend it to anyone.

best club i ever seen in my life..........gorgeus gay guys, amazing place, never seen something like that, an enormous palace with a lot of dark and misterious places.....
at the door i dont know what to you have to say or look like but i m not german, i m from italy and when i go away a bouncer say to me even ciao.....so........
i love you berghain, see you!!

Demonic place in a positive way. Uber wibes, be prepaired to scream unintentionally:) chemicals seem to make the place relentless untill lunch hours but who cares:)) ultimately friendly crowd, don't be shy to express family like feelings with total strangers:)) Concrete minimalism of the interior is so clen and sharp it hurts. The music is beautifully dark and overwhelming, provokes euphoria strikes that are so much stronger than sex drive so that you become ignorant of all the excessive fun available at the laboratory and elswhere:)) put together all nyc and london nightlife buzz, ibiza happiness and the free spirit of berlin itself and you may get the slight idea of what B is all about:))) Ah, will dream about those nights at B!:))

Been there three times now, and never had any problem. I think if you are there (with hand on heart) just for the music, you will be fine. If you get intimidated by their door-routine, you are probably in the wrong place.

it's much more than a night club, there is such a vision behind it ! a place like that is only possible in berlin. in 100 years people will still talk about it as THE first place who understood what techno music needs: the best location, the best sound system, the best people,the best DJ's, the BEST DOOR POLITIC ! Berghain rules!!

Without any doubt, the best club I have ever been to. Go if you love techno, dancing like a machine and prefer your nightclub experience to be like a circus. Do not go because you think it's cool and you want to check it off as part of your Berlin travel itinerary. I have never had a problem getting in. If you are the person that thinks you need to sweet-talk door-people, you are the person that needs to be the most quiet in the queue (or not go). The policy is not to exclude anyone based on race, culture, age or even - within reason - clothing. It exists to keep the level of party-lovers high and try to exclude the party-poopers. It is amazing how much your ego is on show in your facial expressions when you're forced to wait around and these guys can pick out any telltale signs that you might just be an annoying dickhead. Sometimes they obviously fail - from some of the reviews I've read, some very annoying people that I would never want to meet have been let in. Many of them even rated the experience highly. Nobody's perfect. Mostly it's about your (good) attitude and openness. Don't be disheartened if you don't make it the first time and you still want to go - it might not be a reflection on you, but you might have done something small that just felt a little off with the doormen. I wouldn't go if the queue looked like it was an hour long anyway - find another time. Sunday morning (I’m talking 10AM here) is great. Lots of good advice here in other reviews about how to get in, but mostly it's about leaving your ego behind in the taxi and showing some humility. Also, people from chatty cultures will find it hard to get in - chat as much as you like inside, but never on the dance floor, or in the queue. Talking for the sake of talking is just not the Berghain way (maybe that’s a German, or a Berliner thing? I don’t really know) . But don’t try to fool anyone - if you’re one of those lout-ish idiots that goes to Ibiza parties to pull girls, dance terribly to music you have no connection to and get your selfish little voice heard above the crowd, please don’t go - nobody in Berghain wants to party with you.

hallo boa noite quero visitar panorama bar em maio gostava de encontraar travestis alemao ha esse anbiante ali boa noite custavo

This review is to clarify some misconceptions from previous posters. I am a regular punter living in Berlin.

1) Berghain is the hardcore techno, bare chested gay area.
2) Panorama has the housier, trendier crowd.
3) Both levels have unparalleled sound quality, and on most nights, tune selection
4) You'll rarely see less than 2 people leave a cubicle. Chemical heaven.
5) You'll rarely see madoutofit gurners underbiting their lips off. Patrons are generally in control.
6) Germans rarely go insane on the dancefloor. Just relentless dancing.
7) You can seriously let your hair down, without judgement. All rules out the window.
8) Door policy is mainly only strict if a) you go at the wrong time, and b) if you're a bogan/chav. Both need to be spot on to get in
9) Anyone can get laid at anytime in this club.

Went to the berghain last night. First off, when you line up it is just like judgement day. You line up in fencing which seems like cattle fencing. My boyfriend and i talked quietly to eachother but mainly looked calm and happy while in the line. It was about 12:30 saturday night. Everyone was getting rejected when we first lined up, the door man with the face tattoos and the door guy with a bald head would look people up and down then either npd their head outwards or point in the club. ALOT of people do not get in. We did manage to get in. It was just two of us which i think helped. We are australian not german which i worried about but the door people didnt hear pur acsent because we didnt talk, my boyfriend just showed 2 fingers indicating it was only us 2. Inside was pretty good, started to fill out an hour after getting in. I had a gay club vibe as there are many many gays inside. The music was really good and loud, i think the place is overrated but im glad i made
It though the judgement and i didnt have to do the walk of shame. Drinks were alot cheaper than expected, no mirrors is really weird

we arrived at the club at 10:30am, we had been to paloma, tresor, watergate and kit kat and we were w-r-e-c-k-e-d im english and my boyfriend is from milan we in are 30's didnt have to que or have any problem getting in, they did take the camera into the security until we went home and my box of mints caused mayhem on the security search!!!
The venue is as they say a shell very industrial absaloutly massive, there was a doorman who was 7.5 like the grim reaper in a green bomber jacket! The crowd seemed friendly we chatted to many all off there heads all dancing and drinking, what can you expect at 12:30, no mirrors no nice loos, just all about the music and i loved the techno music so i found my spot and got on with our afternoon...we just wished we went back sunday night or could of stayed longer throgh sunday day but we had been everywhere and still many places to go...if we go to berlin again we would love to go back same time around 10am or even 12 noon.

First off, getting into to Berghain is daunting. The selection at the door doesn't always make sense, and when I lived in Berlin I was turned away twice before I learned a couple tricks to getting in.

First, if you go as a group, the bouncers better not know you are in a group. You'll have an easier time getting in if you approach the door in twos or by yourself. Don't communicate with your group while in line, if the bouncers notice it, they'll turn you away, saw it happen several times, and was the reason I got turned away the first time I went.

Secondly, being gay has its advantages getting in. I am gay, and pairing yourself up with a guy is almost guaranteed admission. I never saw gay guys get turned away. It isn't a gay club, but its just a celebration of sexual freedom and I think they try to encourage that with the selection.

Third, if you approach the door with a pretentious attitude, or dressed up like you were going to the slickest nightclub in Berlin, you aren't getting in. If you want that kind of club, go to Weekend.

All that being said, Berghain is incredible. The parties are amazing, the music is great, and you never know what you are going to find. There's nothing else like it in Berlin. There are certainly other fun places, but there is nothing like Berghain!

Doesn't matter how you dress...if you're not German (or can fake it), you;re not getting in.

The most racist club of berlin. we didn't get in and the monkey of security pushing me away with force... Berghain will decade berlin's fame! I hope things will change otherwise berlin won't be the best city where dance techno.

Berghain/Panorama Bar is the mother of all clubs. I was there on 01.01.11, doing what the locals do, instead of joining the mayhem on NYE. The selection as door was daunting indeed, luckily my friend was cool enough to get me in ;)

I met the most amazing person there. He = dark wavy haired, Eurasian looking guy with the most amazing eyes. Me = Asian, Brownish hair, with pink star on my cheek. I never got your name. I think I will have to go back to Berghain just to find you. I will be back!

I just came back from Berghain after a 22 hour marathon session and what an amazing day/night it was. The music was very energetic, the club loaded, some outfits were given a lot effort and I saw people from all walks of life. A group of Burlesque ladies, a man with one leg who was dancing, the most gorgeous boys and girls, people who couldn,t even remember their mother's name, men in leather outfits, ALL colours and races and most of all people who were happy that they went to an event where they were not looked at as freaks but as people who know how to PARTY:-))


Be Brave, Be Berghain, Be Berlin!

score...

11/10 this was more then fantastic it was AMAZING!

ps. make sure you don,t wash off your stamp as it gives you a re-entry and makes you jump the queue, which I will do later today:-)

Part of the successtory of this amazing club is the fact that they have a huge queue every saturdaynight, no matter the weatherconditions. Maybe it is the walk of shame that one has to make if you are refused entry that makes some people say the most absurd things here. How very dare you to abuse the suffering of people who have experienced violent racism to express your own narrow minded frustration.
This place is the only huge club in the world that has NO mirrors!! It creates a pleasant attitude free enviroment in surroundings that has no equal in the world. An old factory where they have only taken out some of the machinery and put in a dj booth, some lights and loadspeakers. NO trendy interiordesign or highly overrated champagnebar...

No doorbitches with attitude but polite doormen who stick to their doorpolicy and who do not give you false hope with useless discussions. You are the weakest link, goodbye.

There are plenty of other clubs in Berlin who will let you in and where you can also party until YOU decide to leave and not some narrow minded officeclerk in a town hall....

Be Berlin!

first of, the nazi comparisons made by quite a large number of people is not only highly offensive and most certainly untrue, but perfectly highlight the reason why the people making such comments didn't and shouldn't get in. if anyone is narrow-minded it's the people who find it fit to make quick comparisons between THE HOLOCAUST and A CLUB - seriously, a lack of intelligence and historical awareness seemingly enable a completely idiotic and highly offensive discourse here. and why? because it's the easiest, most simply comparison to make. you should be ashamed of yourselves, not because you are criticising a good club, but because you are trivialising the holocaust and are causing offense to those who've suffered under the nazi regime.

similarly, those who think it necessary to make degrading comments about homosexuality on here, or who find what happens in berghain shocking, like a second 'sodom and gomorra', shouldn't be there in the first place either. berghain's history, linking back to the old ostgut and the snax parties, is heavily revolving around sexual and personal freedoms, and most importantly, general acceptance. so if you can't deal with gays or a bit of hedonism, just stay at home. one simply cannot forget, that it has been the homosexual crowd that has made berghain what it is - as a matter of fact, it wouldn't even be there without it's core-following.

as for berghain, it is by far the best club i've ever been to - ibiza or london cannot compare, and shouldn't be compared since they are completely different. i go on a regular basis and luckily, never have had problems at the door. neither have my friends - be in small groups, be sober, and most importantly, be polite.

the best advise is to go quite late, ie. on sunday morning/ lunch time (plus the atmosphere and crowd are much better). there are usually no queues then and the likelihood of being allowed in is much larger, since the bouncers presume that you know you're way around the club scene by being prepared to spend your afternoon in a club, rather than just the night.

having said that, i do still get nervous every time, because i know that there is no guarantee to get in, no matter how many times you've managed before. at the end of the day, once you're in, you're in and you're going to love it.

funny ! :-D each and every bitches here complaining are the ones who got rejected ! lol. no wonder you got rejected, what you are all writing is soooooooo stupid, the bouncers had the right feeling when they were facing you !

Berghain is the best bightlife experience once can get in the all world! love that place more than anything.

I don't know what all the fuss is about as regards Bergain. It's just Germans being German.

In previous generations if you didn't match up to the standards expected of the master race you risked shooting, gassing or being tortured to death. Now they simply don't let you in to their nightclubs.

You have got to admit it's progress.

What are you all talking about? I'm from Russia, didn't have any problems with the entrance. The music is excellent and you're allowed to smoke inside - but, my God, it was so boring - the public is so not cool. This was just what I tried to run away from, obviously gotten a wrong idea Berlin could do muh better=(

I got into Berghain a few months ago...I'm not caucasion or German..So the door policy has nothing to do with race, I think it's the type of group you're with. The group standing behind us were all male, british and making alot of noise - so they were all turned away. I was dragging a suitcase along as I had a flight to catch at 8am and I was wearing converse. The bouncers were totally friendly to me and helped me with the case! Great place, great people and I had an amazing time :)

i've been into techno music for several years and gone to some of the best clubs and festivals in many places and so far the best night was last summer in berghain, i show up early wearing sport as usual when i get in techno clubs, i look 100% latino and went with a greek friend...the plece is awsome, the music was freaking good and the vibes great! that hard police on the entrance is what makes the club so great inside, now i'm back in berlin and i've tried to get in 2 times on got rejected, we were 3 people both times, the first time one of my friends looks very young so i kind of knew we weren't getting in, and the second time a german friend also came but he kept playing fun near the door and of course they wouldn't let us in,,,of course i don't like to get rejected but in my case the bouncers had a pretty good radar (none of my friends are into techno and they probably would have been playing tourist in there),,,next time i'll better go on my own...also a great option is tresor, i think his spirit is coming back! very good nowdays

Come on guys it's a matter of fact that this club is crowded every weekend and that it is always the most crazy nevertheless friendliest crowd i've seen so far ... thanks to the door. If you want to get in follow the rules. Put on some lousy jeans and old sneakers. Don't go there with your saturday night casual dress, it's not london. Be friendly. Don't be in a group. That's all. If you want to play the game follow the rules. It is worth it. And it has nothing to do with racism.

I'vve been party all around europe and the world.. Panorama bar undoubetly is the best place ever. Hard core I would say; that's not a turisty club.. it made for professional clubber. About getting in I had zero problem, I guess the point is avoid to get at the entrance in big group and behave appropriately. No drunken childish behaviour nor scream or yell.

Hmm,

Bit of a shame, a big mixed group of us (nationalities, boys, girls) are going to Berlin next week, heard this place was cool but think we'll give it a miss, we're just going for a good time, not to shut up and act cool in the queue! Ha.

just because they let your 'coloured' boyfriend in doesnt mean they arent racist ! racism isnt necesarily specific to a certain race or colour. Racism is and i quote a "hatred or intolerance of another race or other races."As a rule of thumb i believe the german doormen have this attitude to english people. They want to keep the club german. The only way to get in if you are English is to go with a group of germans or speak german.

I've been there twice. Always in a larger group of five or six, and we always split into smaller groups of two or three. And I'm male, a visible minority, from Canada, and do not speak a word of German. Neither did my friends. Tips: Don't wear dress shoes. Don't wear dress shirts. Wear jeans and trainers -- this isn't Miami/London. Don't talk loudly and don't act obnoxious (tourists or locals, doesn't matter). Then you won't have a problem getting in.

I just want to tie a small comment to the race issue. I have a coloured British boyfriend and together we have been to Berghain more than 5 times. Never had any problems getting in.

Just be friendly, don't be too drunk and keep your voices down, and your are in for a great experience!!

I think Berghain should be a members club / invite only. That would would be the only way of keeping non -locals and tourists away from the scrutiny of the racist door monkeys. SORT IT OUT BERGHAIN !!

I don't think they're keeping people out because they're not German or 'Caucasian'. That's absurd!

It's rather because they don't want Berghain to become "just another club" for tourists, erasmus-students or closed crowds of 10+.

Berghain is hardcore hedonists' dineyland, in front of AND inside the club.

I got in twice, but also got expelled twice. you never know what you get. it's part of the thrill...

Don't worry - Berghain is overrated anyways.

German gay techno bubbnle head twats need to sort their stuff out.

Hazza

Im sorry but the managment / bouncers are really giving the club a bad name. refusing entry on the basis of being english or non-german is racist. humiliating genuine music lovers is utterly pathetic and i really hope someone shakes up this operation. the bad vibes need to stop !! also surely the ridiculously strict door policy is losing them loads of money ..?? NOT HAPPY .

the most hardest intense techno club in Europe, 12 euro at the door starts Friday night and stops early hours Monday, just in time for work!

the most amazing club in the world door policy is the most strict by far i have ever seen ... as the others said start asking for advice in the cue ur chances r way gone..dont talk! and remember the minute u step out of the taxi ur being watched! i was there for 6 weeks in a row and planning my next trip already!

Didn't get in because I spoke English in front of the doorman. I'm also Asian so it could have been that reason also.

Unlucky Sam. We knew the score and kept quiet until we were well inside. Crazy policy. You missed an amazing night though.

Made the mistake of speaking English at the front of the line and the bouncer changed his mind and didn't let us in - went to Watergate instead which was awesome.

Totally amazing experience!

arrived friday night 1am july 2010.the longest i ever Q'd for a club - 1 hour. but I was committed at that point.
door policy. Probably the tallest bouncer Ive ever seen (7ft?). I was on my own and have a little German from my course so was able to talk to him a bit. door policy seemed fine. they are letting everyone in that i can see except they nearly turned away 2 fit young girls who said they were 18. they let them in when they found a temporary male friend to mind them. judging by the rohypnol signs inside, this is some form of social responsibility i think?!
as some other guy said - get there early or else go somewhere else. the techno is very hard and not to my taste. i would rate fabric or pasha music much higher.
but if like ure techno sparse with not so much as even a bassline to give it a melody then this is for you.
on the upside..go if youre an architect. Im an engineer and the former power stations stripped down shell and conversion into a club is impressive. bare reinforced concrete with uplighting everywhere. pretty cool.Almost bauhaus.
too loud to chat up chicks and there are more fit birds in your hostels lobby bar than in here. Grungy dressed down crowd. no shirts allowed.. average age 24.
you can walk from ostbahnhof.

Executive summary : simply not worth 1 hour Q. Go random in Kotbusser tor or Schleise Tor.

I think that is very sad if the best club in Berlin (and one of the best in the world) is Berghain. Berlin prides itself for being a culture mixed society, embracing the difference and Berghain is just the opposite of these characteristics. When the door man didnt allowed us in because "maybe it is because you are too short, maybe it is because you are latino", I was not just pissed of with him, but I was afraid. I was afraid of a society that has its history of prejudicious behaviors celebrating such a prejudicious conduct. I hope Berghain stops representing the best of Berlin's nightlife.

Berghain is BY FAR, the BEST club there is!

I was there for the 2nd time yesterday and had no problems at the door either time. I do speak German, so maybe that helps.

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT! If you didn't get in, try again because it is worth it!!!

2010.06.12.
I went there at 02.30 all togehter with seven friends. We all look scandinavian exept three of us, the exchange student who was with us. Two from Mexico and one girl from Korea. We knew about the requirements to not speak englich ant try stay seperate in smaller groups. By the entrancedoor four of us got in and I my self got stuck inbetween two guards not saying a word - Then I did a mistake (or wat to call it) i turned my head back and look at our mexcian frriends and the korean girl. The out of nowhere the guy in the door SLAPS me on my arm and the sound of the slap (I had t-shirt on) makes my other friends turn their heads. In that moment I got pushed out and the rest following, with comments like: "You're not welcome here!" I was soooo close to hit back on the guy in door, but felt useless starting a fight. But That moment I realized that that I was all the "don'ts" that we had done: 1. Reveling that in fact we were a larger goup of friends. 2. That they were not caucasian... 3. That I did'r emedietly foolowed the pace that I should have... Well sorry for having a heart. But F them, I won't go in without my friends anyway. Berghein is giving Berlin a bad name! Shame!

Well, after seeing the doormen (one guy with piercing up to his navel) it was clear why they apply a restrictive door policy. Ugly and provincial (no word of English known)frustrated primitives. Probably living with a mousy Hartz 4 wife in Marzahn.

lol who in the world would ever want to go out in las vegas or miami?! would rather go to disneyland. berghain is jokes, especially get perlonized

I find it funny how a couple people here said "Don't be such an American" but yet, you're the ones unable to get past doormen in Miami, Las Vegas, LA and New York no matter how hard you try-probably because you have no game whatsoever when traveling out of Europe.
At any rate. Consensus from my group in California is, this is the most memorable club in Berlin. We didn't have any problems at the door. But then, when do we?

I've gone here 4 or 5 times in the last few years. Its always awesome. I didn't even know they turned people away at the door. it seems like anyone can get in here, the crowd is really mixed and tolerant. The only problem is the line can get really long at about 1am-4am. so you have to go really early or else get on a DJ's list somehow. But compared to clubs in Paris this place is no problem. i don't get the Nazi comments. This place is the most un-nazi you can get. Ultra homo, ultra degenerate hedonism!!!

@Mario, as a matter of fact, I haven't ever been to a disco or a night club in my life. I know the tattooed face bad joke they have at the door from other connections, as he likes putting black lipstick on the accountants and civil servants who come to Berghain and take Marilyn Manson soft porn pictures of them. Then he hypes them as underground and extreme and acts like that would make himself a photographer.

But just like truly extreme and underground personalities don't go around giving interviews on graveyards for Spiegel-TV, shouting out how extreme they are, truly underground night clubs aren't only famous for humiliating people in the queue. Berghain is making a media fuzz about itself by doing exactly what the Nazis were doing 70 years ago: Dividing the people in the queue under the spotlight into "worthy" and "unworthy". That keeps them talked about and that provides them with a new queue of frightened sheep to abuse, night by night. Those who get in think the world of themselves and their street creds, those who don't complain. In the end stands a nice little cash flow for the owners.

All in all, places like Berghain are nothing else but another proof of what a mistake it was not to put the Morgenthau-plan in action, as there still was a chance.

We thought the Waffen-SS were all gone. Truelly the bouncers are 'schweinen'. It's just randomness but these idiots are not worth living.

I've been two times there without knowing anything about their strict door policy. Each time there was no problem to get in. But curiously, 2 of my friends didn't get in, for no reason. Why? Because this is how you get a reputation. No other reason. Simply because they can do it. So no one should take it personal. Try to get in and if you do, you're the king of the world for the next hours. But if you don't just don't take it personally. Find another club and try to Berghain some other time.

berghain is one, noo THEEE tech/hardtrance place in berlin..door policy?I saw more impressive bouncers outside other clubs here in berlin'town'
my opinion? ..loooove it or f*#? it...
I still love it!

I was in Berlin for a week and i wasted 2hours waiting in the line of Bergaihn freezing at -5C. After they didn't let me in i was so angry. What happens if someone calls the police because of not letting him in?

I am living in berlin now for 2 months. I went there 2 times,last time was last friday. it was 2 am, there was no waiting line, we waited 2 minutes in front of the door, then they refused us. this is really a shame. 2 times tried, 2 times without succes. the door policy is extremely hard and almost absurd. and god may know why. 've been many times in tresor & watergate, also 2 really great clubs in berlin if you're into the music. my vision about berghain; it doesnt matter if you're there for the music, it depends of how you are dressed and maybe of how you act in front of the door. really a shame because i think at the end, berghain's doorpolicy is based on some stereotype bullshit. but i am not giving up. im still here in Berlin for two months now and i hope i will get in at least one time.

@ Micky you didn't get in, and you will never !! (and that's a good thing!!)

Berghain rules people !!

Those who dont get in seem a little bitter don't they. Without doubt the best club in Europe. Truly awesome.

Where to start ... bufff! The last year I was in Berlin with my husband and another couple and we visited the Berghain. My friend was in another time and she advised us not to talk at the door, and we adopted stance of "this site sucks and I do not want to come in". I did not understand why, but we went in because it was early and there was no queue. The place is cool inside and I really liked.
Nowadays we are living in Berlin. 3 friends came to enjoy the city and on Saturday at 2 pm we went to Berghain. There were people queue waiting in silence. A huge white light illuminated the people along the fences,as if they were entering into a slaughterhouse. And the bounces had fun watching people through the cameras, and and not let anyone in. In my opinion? It seemed Sachsenhausen.
There is no sense having to pretend that you get bored when the intention is to have fun. There is no sense to speak whispering when there aren't neighbors to disturb. There is no sense to humiliate you and make you feel like a shit at the door of a club.
I understand that there must be filters to the public, but there are limits.
Where is the "underground" club which boast?
Berlin is full of amazing clubs like Maria, Watergate, GoldenGate ... and all that I have to discover! Enjoy it!

i heard that the best way to get in is to simply act like you know what you are doing (but dont be pretentious). i think they simply want to get a good mix of people and have the real music fans in there. don't go if you don't care about the music.

I NEVER had any problems with the door policy. Be resonably sober, dont make loads of noise, dont talk to much english. Dont overdress or underdress... DONT BE SUCH an AMERICAN... and if you're asking about tips you already lost...

Panorama Bar, not for the faint hearted alright, small dark rooms for courting pairs, vitimains hard to find but gettable. Music was hard techno and excellent. I went in Sunday morning 1150am, no q! very thorough seach getting in, went in alone, best plan. a very good day out

if your not a gay bodybuilder, transexual goddess or just some hedonist freak my advise would be to dress up like a guy from warsaw who's been on crack, sniffin petrol, glue and had no food for the last 5 years. wearing hoodie is a good thing. don't say a word in the queue and just try to keep a really low profile. look miserable but kind. genuineness works. queue alone or max group of 2-3. good luck!

Incredible klub. Atmosphere post-human and dark. I arrived at 8.00 a.m., no problems to get in. Exiting experience!

Top Club, Went Friday nite, got in around 1.30 am, no probs from doorstaff... rolled out around 9am after a wicked friendly night of great music and friendly folks...

Everyday people might be a bit put off by this place - so difficult to get in and yet inside the focus is more on getting messed up than the music IMO

i fancy checking out berlin,but iv been in germany for 3 years live and work here,but its seem everywhere big city i go to like hamburg hannover bremmen they just dont let you in cause your english,so i dont want to waste my time going there and then to find im getting knocked back from everywhere

The number one rule for Berghain is *go early*. by that I mean midnight to 1am. After that the bouncers just totally take the mickey. I stood in line for 90 minutes around 3-4am in freezing November conditions, knowing full well friends of mine were inside and that it was super quiet. Meanwhile outside the bouncers were letting the queue proceed at a pathetically slow pace just to make the place seem exclusive.

Take my advice and avoid Berghain, Berlin is full of cool pubs and clubs where you don't have to depend on the totally random fancy of weirdo bouncers to let you in.

lol Richie H didn't get thrown out! Everyone misunderstood what he said. Anyway, I can't wait to see this place with my own eyes. Any tips getting past the strict door policy?

My golly! Such an AMAZING club! I creamed it in there! Really ripped up the floor in my party get up!

Dhrr, I not from U.S.A, but bimingham leaving in london, my blonde hair could explain alot?

Berghain, 13/12/2009, 8am ish, surpised to hear German tec circa '96 playing in my ear, so swiftly trotted up to Panorma Bar to my relief to hear MY type of music! Yar!!! Loved a flick of the blinds just flashing day light in and the sofa in the loo. I happerly busted some shapes on the dance floor (in same spot 10hrs as you do)? Made friends with the funniest germans. Great venue, looks wrong, yet feels so right! I go back 30th + 31st january. p.s. Richie H, I thought you got thrown out???

The Best Club I've ever been to..!!
It was like the club in "Blade" movie..!
Totally Hedonistic, Underground, Dirty, Sexy, Evil, Satanic, Dionysiac!! Loved it!.. kinda scared at first 'cause of the vampiric atmosphere there,but the crowd was really cool so i blended in naturally! As far as the face control,I think they're ok..they have their standards,they've been in night life for years,so they got to know who gets in and who doesn't.. Act natural and try not to be posh-like..
Panorama is really my most extraordinary memory from Berlin!!! ;P

VERY,VERY, NICE CLUB AND ATMOSFERE.I THING I COMING BACK.

I live in Berlin, been to Berghain twice, got in once and refused once. Unless you go early it's not worth it. The bouncers have the most random door policy and are exceptionally smug and horrible!..It's good inside but the atmosphere is not that much fun. Music is good and place is impressive but it's nothing on Ibiza ..Go somewhere else, or you may leave with a bad impression of a brilliant city.